COMBAT DANCE:A CREATIVELY HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MOVEMENT PERFORMANCE ART

Abstract

COMBAT DANCE: A CREATIVELY HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MOVEMENT PERFORMANCE ART By Raymont Lee Anderson, M.F.A. A thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2003 Major Director. Dr. Noreen Barnes-McLain, Director of Graduate Studies Department of Theatre “Combat Dance” is an eclectic blend of combat and dance art forms combined and taught from the Fall 2001 to Spring 2003. As defined here, combat dance is a blend of techniques and principles gleaned from both unarmed and armed aspects of stage combat, martial arts (such as aikido and kung fu), modern dance and other expressive movements used to tell a story of conflict. Its primary purpose is to provide both actors and non-actors greater awareness and control of their bodies and to provide a range of creative avenues of expression. Combat dance gives the performers a unique and v holistic set of exercises and skills that leave no part of the body, mind, or even deeper the spirit uninfluenced. The thesis begins with the vision and birth of the class, a description of the preparatory research, an analysis of the reasons for the class, and reflection, revelations, and realizations gained through teaching the class. The ultimate focus of this thesis is to aid anyone interested in any type of combat or dance-related movements: dancers, non-dancers, actors, non-actors, movement coaches, and even those in the fields of dance or drama therapy. Thesis was saved using Microsoft® Works Suite 2002 Requirements To use Microsoft® Works Suite version 2002, you need: Computer/Processor Multimedia PC with a Pentium 200MHz or higher processor Memory 64 MB of RAM Hard Disk 1045 MB of available hard-disk space for typical installation of all applications. Custom installation may require more or less hard-disk space. Drive Quad speed CD ROM drive or higher Display Super VGA monitor, 1 MB of VRAM Operating System Microsoft Windows 98, Me, 2000 or XP operating system Peripherals Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device Miscellaneous Microsoft® Internet Explorer 5.5 software required and included. Up to an additional 80 MB of hard disk space may be required for Internet Explorer upgrade. This installation will not replace your primary browser. Modem (28.8 baud or faster recommended), access to the Internet, Audio card with headphones or speakers, Microphone required for voice recording.